Ben Johnson provides update on whether Bears starters will play vs. Dolphins in preseason opener

The Chicago Bears will kick off their 2025 preseason schedule on Sunday, Aug. 10, against the Miami Dolphins. That’s what we do know.

What we don’t know is whether the Bears will play their starters.

Coach Ben Johnson didn’t provide much clarity on the subject when he was asked about it on Tuesday, either.

“To be determined,” he said.

It appears that the Chicago Bears’ recent practice struggles have forced Johnson to reconsider his stance on preseason games.

“Going into camp, I kind of had outlined in my head exactly the way I’d love it to play out, with in mind, we were going to revisit that each player day off,” he said. “I’m going to visit with the staff tomorrow and finalize that.”

The Bears concluded what many beat reporters described as the most physical practice in years on Tuesday. It could lead to Ben Johnson and his staff deciding that there’s no need to increase any injury risk to the starters by playing in a meaningless game on Sunday. Plus, Chicago will hold joint practices with the Dolphins in the days leading up to their preseason opener. The Bears’ coaching staff will have plenty of valuable reps to evaluate.

Call it a hunch, but I don’t think we’ll see the Chicago Bears’ starters for more than one series, if at all, in Week 1 of the 2025 NFL preseason.